John Brackett, a 49-year-old construction worker and Prince Street resident, was arraigned on Friday, February 2, 2018 after he was accused of attacking a security guard. Brackett who was unrepresented was arraigned before Magistrate Michelle Trapp where he was read a single charge of attempted murder.

The allegation against Brackett is that on Thursday, February 1, 2018, he attempted to murder Kenrick Valencio with the use of a knife. In a report made by the 34-year-old victim, he was on duty at the Princess Hotel and Casino on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 when he refused Brackett entry into the casino due to this behavior. He came off duty the following morning and was standing in front of the Novelo’s Bus Terminal when he was approached by the man he had refused entry into the casino. The two men got into a verbal altercation and Brackett drew a knife and stabbed Valencio once to the abdomen.

In court, no plea was taken from Brackett but he was given a chance to give any special reason for which he might be offered bail. According to him, he is a diabetic, a father, and the sole provider of his household. There was objection by the prosecutor in the case, Cpl. Kennard Clark. Clark said that under the Crime Control and Criminal Act, special reasons must be presented in writing but in his view, Brackett’s reasons are not special.

As a result, he was denied bail but was informed that he has the right to apply for bail through the Supreme Court with the assistance of an attorney. Brackett was remanded into custody at the Belize Central Prison until March 16, 2018.